At First Bite

Poison Apple #8

by Ruth Ames

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Twelve-year-old vampire Ashlee Lambert moves from New York to sunny Los Angeles, where she must deal with vicious cliques, awful sunburns, and a mystery of disappearing classmates that Ashlee must solve.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Vampires, Childrens, Paranormal, Horror, Mystery

192 pages, Library Binding

First published November 1, 2011

About the author

Ruth Ames is the author of This Totally Bites, one of the inaugural spine-tingling Poison Apple books. She has written several best-selling young adult novels under another name. Ruth loved reading spooky stories as a child. She now lives in Manhattan, where she has yet to meet a real vampire.

Reviews

[☀️Carden☀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ummmm....I have a hate/love relationship with this story. It’s like half of me says it’s good bad and then it’s terrible and full of stupid cliches that made me want to scream out loud.

I don’t know how I am going to be able to actually write this review while not screaming and typing and jabbing my fingers at the screen so I am gonna do a bullet point review. (Who doesn’t like bullet points?)

• The cover and plot. Okay mind you the plot really would stick out to a fourth grader looking for a good book to read. And it sounds cool and the cover looks nice to. Sleek and edgy. But can I say that the story felt like there wasn’t even any direction added to it? It was like this happened, then boom. “We all get worried, we fight, and boom! Yay we reached the end of the story.” No I didn’t buy it one bit.

• The main character. Now don’t get me wrong, Ashlee does grow in the end as the story develops but she was so annoying and the stereotypical popular girl at the start, I just had to gag. She doesn’t want her brother anywhere near her in school, afraid he will destroy her social status. She always cares about being popular, and is confused when someone tells her in a basic way “popular isn’t every thing.” She was just so clueless, I wanted to scream. Again.

• Stereotypes and the like. As if the main character hasn’t already pissed me off, the story also deals with mean popular girls and teenagers acting all cheesy and cringey. It really just made the story seem more confusing then it already was. I don’t want to hear the word “popular” every single page. This basically just throws the wrong message at the reader. Especially giving them a false image of middle school, which is no way like the story tries to make it look like.

• Romance? Why don’t you just write it? The main character falls for some dude of her best friend and always feels a little different around him. This could have been developed into something more. I was tired of the main character saying she had a “crush.” Why don’t you just ask the guy out? Raise the standard. Sure it’s a book for elementary kids but you can make it real if you want. It wasn’t bad, but the romance could have been done right.

• Vampires? How? Why not Assassins...Or Vampire Slayers? The whole plot centers on vampires and bats and all that fluff. Frankly I don’t buy it. Also, instead why not write about the main character slaying vampires? Just write it in a fun action way suited for the right audience (this time it’s elementary school graders.) I will admit, that premise sounds way better then being a vampire.

• Could be better. All in all, take in these points and you got yourself a good book, and if not, then better. I will admit, this book sounds neat and all that, it just wasn’t executed properly. It was another one of those chapter books for elementary readers. Even if it’s not meant to be better (considering this is for elementary readers, which lets be honest, no one really reads in elementary school) still could have been better. Period. 👏

[maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

was this worth the reread? maybe. do i wish i reread my sisters a vampire instead? yes. was this a waste of my time? no. no regrets i love silly vampire middle grade books

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has been out for a few years now and this latest, the 8th book in the series, is the second to repeat an author. This series is a dark off-shoot of their popular Candy Apple Books. This series, Poison Apple Books, is amazing. The books explore such things as ghosts, vampires, haunting and other darker tales. Unlike most fluffy books for young girls, these tales have a little more grit but still have some humour and really fun reads.

This story continues shortly after This Totally Bites! Ashley Samantha Lambert is twelve years old, with blond hair and blue eyes, at her old school in New York she had been top of the social ladder, and then last fall she became a vampire. Now her family has moved to L.A. and things just seem to keep going downhill. Then she finds out she is living in a house famed for a vampire film, and the school play is the same story as that film: At First Bite. But not only are things rough for Ashley, she soon finds herself looking to uncover a dark one, a vampire that is attacking people. The Perfect life she pictured in L.A is not so perfect and life is even more complicated than she ever expected.

This book was another great read in a wonderful series. Give it a try.

Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the authors on my blog Book Reviews and More. Links also the reviews of the Poison Apple Books and also an interview with Aimee Friedman.

[The Local Spooky Hermit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the other i enjoyed it. Of course its a bit childish but yeah eh its fun and its for a younger reader so.. duh. I do wish the Emma and ashlee kept in contact I know each poison apple seems to be its own story but these 2 are clearly linked. I get it its easier if each is its own story. But I think it would have been nice if while Ashlee was becoming more of her own person to reach out to the one person who knew her secret bc she was left alone her mentor went off the grid.(also wth its YOUR JOB to be there for the newly made CHILD vampire not to go NO CONTACT) so it'd been nice if Emma and Ash talked. I wanted to get to know the background of the vampire lore but there's not much. Whatever the lesson is don't judge and such and that comes through. I just would have like more of her making friends. Its a okay sequel tho I wanted to hear from Emma. Okay ima stop over analyzing a middle grader book. :/
But like could you AT LEAST EXPLAIN THE PUNISHMENT FOR THE BAD VAMPIRES??? HOW LONG DO VAMPIRES LIVE?! DO THEY STOP AGING???
Headcannon: Emma's great aunt margo empress of vampires rips the heads off the dark ones. Bc why not, examples must be made.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

storytime when I went to iraq for a month in 2014 I read this book minimum once every single day like I would read it start to finish and immediately turn back to the first page and start again and could read it in my head when I didn’t have it on me and I took so many other books I would occasionally read but I memorised this one and I just wanted to check if it was good and tbh I get 10 year old me like it still eats 10 years later

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

At First Bite is a fun vampire story for tweens and younger readers. This is the second book in the Poison Apple series I've read, and boy do I wish these were around when I was younger. This story introducers readers to tween vampire, Ashlee Lambert, who moves from her posh NYC apartment out to to L.A. were her famous mother gets her own reality tv as a judge. Ashlee not only has to make new friends and deal with a whole new school, but she's still learning about being a vampire. The cool thing about the vampires in this book is that they shift into bats, don't drink animal blood and can go outside. Though she's the lone vampire in her family (who have no idea she is one), Ashlee has a mentor there to help her. Things get a little out of hand once she's in L.A.

Though Ashlee's kind are the "good" vampires and drink Sanga, a blood substitute for human blood since they don't attack humans, there are vampires called the Dark Ones. These vampires do attack humans and it's up to Ashlee to figure out who the Dark One is at her new school that keeps attacking the students and staff. Ashlee for me was a fun character to read about and one I think fans of this series will enjoy meeting. It's not just the paranormal part of this story that makes it a fun read, but also the relatable side to it as well. Ashlee learns some important lessons at her new school like what being a true friend is all about, and having money and being with the popular crowd isn't always as fun as it seems.

This is a fun read and one I'd recommend for both younger and tween readers. It's clean cut and a great introduction into both this series and paranormal themed books.

[Nemesis · Rating 5 out of 5]

✪ ω ✪ good book! about a girl who is now a fully-fledged vampire and has trouble keeping her secret at her new school she realises her friend's twin brothers a vampire full of horror mystery and fun!

[Karli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sounds like it's going to be so good! What I think is funny is that judging by the two covers; This totally Bites! and At First Bite, Ashlee and Emma-Rose have almost the same hair; except Em's is Black, and Ashlee's is blonde.I read the description when I was only about 10 pages into the book, and even though it said Ashlee, it was one of those moments where you sit there reading, and even though it said that Ashlee was a vampire, I completely forgot about it. Why does Ruth Ames HAVE to wait until November 1st for this to be released??

EDIT:

Warning: *******SPOILERS!*******
Oh my gosh. I finished this on a long car ride home, and wow...their teacher was a vampire? I completely didn't see that coming because usually Poison Apple Books (and the Candy apple) are annoying in the way that, the character throughout the WHOLE book will assume something, and then find out, hah, it was a big misunderstanding! Like in This Totally Bites, Emma-Rose thought she was a vampire, and spent the whole book worrying her head off, to find out it was Ashlee who was a vampire.




Spoiler done!

Overall, this book was A-ma-zing. :)

[Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book “At First Bite” by Ruth Ames is a different type of Vampire book. The main character Ashlee Lambert, is a girl from New York City to lives a new life as a Vampire, but moves to the city of Los Angeles. As she struggles as a new full fledge vampire, her mentor Abrella, warns her about the dangers in L.A. There are many questions to Ashlee’s new life in L.A. Can she keep her secret? Will she meet another vampire like her? What is the danger that awaits her in L.A.? In the book of “At First Bite”, find out what happens to Ashlee as she enters a new chapter in a new home. I really like this book, because of the mystery and the tension it gives. While reading, you have so many question to what will happen next! I recommend you reading this book. This book is full of many wonders and I think it’s a great read. If you like mystery, fiction, and/or vampires, then you will like or even LOVE this book.

[Bryckelle Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first Ashlee moves to Hollywood even though she never wanted too. And she finds out that she is a vampire. She soon learns that there are others out there who want to hurt her because she doesnt choose to feed on the week humans. So the next day she goes to school and she finds out that one of them goes to her school. Soon she meets another vampires and starts to question if they are the ones who attacked the custodian. She also questions her teacher as well. She needs to find out who the killers are or it just might cost her, her life.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is mostly about vampire named Ashlee moved to Los Angeles and in Los Angeles there are vampires that are attacking kids. Ashlee is trying to stop these attacks. But first she has to find out who is behind all these attacks? Read to find out!

[Amelia P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book you will have to read the one before it tho I love this book!Its great and a must read!

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished this book in just 2 hours while waiting for mum in the hospital. Clearly tho, I kinda like how Ashlee evolved from being a girl desperate to be in a clique of famous girls just like she used to be in her old NY life to a more realistic human being finding a true friend and true self at the same time. I really like the character of Marc tho, been waiting for a kiss or something slightly romatic between him and Ashlee but I find nothing (perhaps because its an 8-12 yo book so don't expect that).
The plot actually very basic and just like any other teen twilight-y story I guess. Even on part of the book the author did make it sound so twilight (a doctor or what named Cullen Meyer - I think cullen is from that twilight vampiric clan and meyer is taken from its author stephenie meyer).
Its totally fine tho, I enjoyed reading the book. I love Ash's mentor Arabella Lowe and her boyfriend Beau. Sadly they didn't get much parts.

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is part of the Poison Apple series for middle-school-aged readers. A young friend introduced me to this series, which she loves. In this episode, the focus is on vampires. While this is book # 8 in the series, it can be read as a standalone.

Ashlee has recently discovered that she is a vampire and is struggling to keep this a secret from her family and friends. A cross-country move from New York to Los Angeles gives her a chance at a fresh start with fewer explanations. But suddenly she’s faced with a clique of popular mean girls, not to mention the bright California sun, and she’s struggling to cope. But when people at school start being attacked, Ashlee realizes she isn’t the only vampire in town and she has to figure out who the bad actor is before her own cover is blown.

It's a fun, fast read. And like other books in the series, the focus is more on the relationships between the characters than on the paranormal aspects.

[ℳ. · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of my scholastic sales purchases from primary school. i remember this one so vividly! had to log this after recalling a scene to someone:

"young teen girl books are so peak, there was this random one i read where a model just moved to a new school but wouldn’t get her luggage for a while so she had to wear whatever and the popular girls at the school were making fun of her outfits when she owned the exact same espadrilles their head was wearing, then when she wore them to school after she got her clothes back, the hbic gave them a nod but then a snide comment about how imitation is the best form of flattery and mc was like smh i should never have sought her approval"

[Judith Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a twelve year old girl named Ashlee Lambert. Ashlee just became a full fleshed vampire so it's been kind of hard for her.After Ashlee moved to Los Angeles She wanted to start fresh.But now its been harder than ever for Ashlee to keep her huge secret with mean girls in the way and the sun burns. Ashlee realizes that she is not the only vampire in town.When something or some one starts attack people.Now Ashlee's mission is to figure out who in doing the attacks before her cover is blown.

[Lizette Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first bite by Ruth Ames is about a girl (12 years old) who is struggling to be a normal girl, well the cause of that because shes a vampire. But when their have been attacks in her new school it’s up to her and her friends to find out what’s happing. I recommend this book for 4th-6th. It’s a great book that most tweens can relate too. I think it’s very detailed and very shocking. I loved it even though it’s an easy book. It’s a really good book that you could read for fun.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was actually surprised that I enjoyed this more than This Totally Bites! - Ashlee is more than your stereotypical mean girl, and I really liked seeing her adjust to both a new school and her vampire powers. I could honestly see this being an even longer series following her and her friends in California.

[Abby Yin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashlee Samantha Lambert appears to be a perfectly normal girl. Or is she? Ever since her 12th birthday, Samantha’s teeth have been hurting, but it is not because of normal dysfunctions, she is actually a vampire! At First Bite is a good book for anyone who loves a spooky but happy ending will like this book.
Child or not, everyone should be able to sit back and enjoy a good ending

[Rianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to read this over and over as a middle schooler, I would keep it in my purse and you can tell it was well loved. I'm planning on going through all my old books and rereading them and I'm very excited for this one.

[Debbie Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

for a quick read to finish up my yearly challenge I read this and thought it was really cute with a good plot for a young adult.

[Maryam (chaptersbymoonlight) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Hecka · Rating 1 out of 5]

bogus trash

[Shelby Heikkinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was definitely a cute little book. I enjoyed the story

[Amory · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another cute middle grade vampire book! I actually liked this one a bit more than the previous Poison Apple vampire book, "This Totally Bites."

[Mandy Crumb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good clean introduction to paranormal books for tweens.
Read as a buddy read with my 10 year old.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not bad for a kids book. I wish there was a sequel. I know someone mentioned the main character was vain and stuff but sometimes preteens are. She learned a lesson anyways.

[Tayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books a read it might be the best spooky mystery ever!!!

[Thea C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it is a kid/teens book after all. I do like the poison apple series, but the story is a bit to plain. But still good and awesome to collect this series...

[Lamia Lkr · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,75/5 , j'aime cette série !